'My Child Has Bipolar Disorder, But Please Don't Punish Her For It'

April 3, 2015 7:05 PM

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The stigma surrounding mental-health conditions is very real, and it can be devastating for children who experience it. Take Tara, 11, who started being left out of activities once she told her best friend, Amanda, that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. When Tara asked Amanda why she wouldn't play with her anymore, Amanda confessed: "My mom said I should stay away from you. She said you were probably 'crazy' and might do something strange."

Tara's mom, Alexis, was heartbroken for her daughter. "I just don't know what to do," Alexis said when she sought professional help. "She's not a bad kid. I just wish people wouldn't judge without even knowing her. It's so unfair."